01/12/2016The first thing that strikes you about this coupe is the color. It's an original factory special that seems to sit somewhere between metallic shades of silver and gold like a Champaign celebration. The official Silver Beige name for this hue seems to represent the 1980s perfectly, and it's a unique paint that stands out in public nicely, even when parked amongst other Corvettes at the car show. The darker graphics on the lower doors and hood define some of the Corvette's most dramatic features. The hatchback profile, deep chin spoiler, and ducktail end cap all add to the distinctive look that was uniquely Corvette. Besides just looking amazing, this Corvette earns its Special Edition status by being only one of 6,759 commemorative cars built before General Motors shut the books on the C3.

The interior is arguably more interesting than the exterior. The metallic leather seat package that was optional on late-C3s is taken one step further with a multi-tone precious metals fade, that complements the Silver Beige exterior very well. A similar pattern on the door panels and center armrest matches the unique buckets. It's loaded with options like power windows, power locks, power seats, power mirrors, tilt steering column, rear defrost, and just about anything else GM could invent to include in the top-of-the-line Corvette. This one has even been upgraded to a new AM/FM/CD stereo for the most modern tunes. Tinted glass T-tops means you can have an open-air experience with this Corvette, along with with ability to use the factory air conditioning. Plus, you can store the roof much easier thanks to the glass hatchback. This rear opening is a feature that should have always been on the late C3s, but this Special Edition was the only car that got it from the factory.

The 1982 drivetrain was a preview of the new C4 Corvette. The Cross Fire Injected 350 cubic-inch V8, was torquey, powerful, and surprisingly efficient thanks to a new 700R4 four-speed automatic overdrive transmission as standard equipment. We believe this is the original motor, and it's not hard to see why by how almost completely stock it is under the hood. The offset air cleaner gives it away, but you'll be impressed by how tidy everything is and how well-maintained all the vitals are. It starts quickly and easily, makes a fantastic rumble from the dual exhaust, and snaps through the gears with authority, making for an entertaining V8 cruise. It also helps that there's a disc brake behind each one of those cool Special Edition alloy wheels, that are purposely designed to look like the iconic knock-off wire wheels of the C2.